Published October 2, 2026

CAPTION: State legislators join ULM administrators and special guests to cut the ribbon for the newly renovated Sugar Hall on Monday, September 28, 2026.

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MONROE, La. – The University of Louisiana Monroe (ULM) held a grand reopening and ribbon-cutting for the newly renovated Sugar Hall on Monday, September 28, 2026. The recently completed $26 million renovation was funded with capital outlay funds from the Louisiana state legislature. Sugar Hall is now home to ULM’s College of Health Sciences, including the Dean’s office and several health sciences programs and clinics.  

“If we want to attract the best and brightest students here at ULM, we have to give them the tools and facilities they need to be successful,” said ULM President Dr. Carrie L. Castille. “Any potential student who visits Sugar Hall is sure to be wowed by the learning environment that we have created here. We are grateful that our state legislature understood the need and provided the funding for this project that will not only serve our students, but the entire community.”  

In addition to state-of-the-art labs and classrooms, Sugar Hall features new clinic space for Speech-Language Pathology, Occupational Therapy, and Dental Hygiene. Each of these clinics provides services to the community, allowing students to gain real-world experience before graduation.  

Sugar Hall is also home to Medical Laboratory Science and Toxicology, as well as a new x-ray suite for the Radiologic Technology program.  

The grand reopening ceremony was attended by many local legislators and other elected officials. Special guests included Rep. Adrian Fisher, Rep. Chris Turner, Rep. Michael Echols, Sen. Stewart Cathey, Sen. Glen Womack, Monroe Mayor Friday Ellis, Monroe City Councilman Doug Harvey, Sterlington Mayor Matt Talbert, Ouachita Parish Police Jury President Shane Smiley, Ouachita Parish Police Juror Toni Bacon, Ouachita Parish Police Juror Larry Bratton, Chairman of the Louisiana Board of Regents Misti Cordell, former U.S. Rep. Rodney Alexander, Hannah Livingston, Deputy State Director for U.S. Senator John Kennedy, Ramona Martin, Outreach Director for U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow, Katie May, Legislative Aide for Sen. Jay Morris, and Monroe Chamber of Commerce President Mike Downhour.  

Representing the Office of Governor Jeff Landry were Stuart Hodnett, Northeast Louisiana Director of Rural Development, and Julie Emerson, Chief of Staff. Emerson spoke on behalf of Gov. Landry at the ceremony.  

“This is very needed, not just for the people of Northeast Louisiana, but for all of Louisiana,” said Emerson. We know that ULM is a great university for healthcare training because, frankly, if we don’t have a healthy Louisiana, we don’t have a Louisiana at all.” 

ULM College of Health Sciences Dean Dr. Wendy Bailes closed the ceremony by thanking the legislators and inviting them to tour the building following the ribbon-cutting.  

“What I hope you leave with is the recognition that what you did to renovate this building is going to be paid back into the community, because that’s what we do in healthcare. We serve, and through this building, we’re going to be able to make a difference in people’s lives,” said Bailes.  

About Sugar Hall 

Completed in June 1971, the facility was built to house the School of Pharmacy and was formally dedicated as Sugar Hall on June 25, 1972. According to campus sources, the building was named in honor of Leon G. Sugar, president of Monroe Wholesale Drug Company and a strong advocate for the university. 

Sugar Hall housed the Pharmacy program until the mid-2000s, when it moved to its current home on Bienville Drive. Sugar Hall continued to serve as the home to many health sciences programs until the early 2020s, when it was temporarily closed, and the renovation was planned. 

Funding for the renovation was secured by the Louisiana state legislature during the 2024 and 2025 regular legislative sessions. The renovation took approximately 18 months and was completed in August 2026. The building was reopened to students and faculty for the Fall 2026 semester.